14 Rural Northern Idaho Communities Participate in Horizons. UI Extension Mobilizes Resources to Strengthen Rural Communities

Fourteen northern Idaho communities are participating in the Horizons program, a long-term partnership between the University of Idaho and the Minnesota-based Northwest Area Foundation. The Horizons program is designed to empower citizens to make rural Idaho a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Idaho Horizons communities will participate in a series of community conversations to develop greater awareness and understanding of poverty, in-depth community leadership training, and a powerful community visioning and action process. This training and support is provided by University of Idaho Extension, a Horizons project partner with the Northwest Area Foundation.

Idaho Horizons uses systems approach to community change

University of Idaho Horizons uses a systems approach towards community development and poverty reduction. Its main components are:
    > Community conversations and action planning focused  
       on poverty reduction
    > Inclusive, broad based leadership development;
       community visioning and action

Horizons Project Timeline

January-March 2007                       Study Circles
Community residents learn to talk about challenging issues that shape their future, what poverty looks like locally and what they can do about it.

April-July 2007                     LeadershipPlenty(c)
People learn community leadership skills and realize that everyone is capable of providing leadership.

September-Oct 2007        Community Visioning
Communities create a shared vision and action plan for achieving a future where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

Nov 2007-June 2008       Community Coaching
                                                          & Action
The University of Idaho and their partners help communities to build needed skills and achieve progress on their plans and goals.